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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-01-31, Page 5Where Service Counts! YAMAHA The Power To Satisfy 20 Dover St., Stratford 271-8911- 1 Open 6 Days a Week Agriculture Commiication key in farm transfers BY DAVID ScaI'"I' Expositor Editor - Farm transfers Irony • one generation to the -next can be emotional and dill icult ordeals, - especially when there ire'sev- eral siblings involved, About 100 local farmers gathered at.Seaforth C'onirnun- ity C'enlres-last Wednesday for a. financial planning seminar that dealt w.itli intergenerational farm translcrs and estate planning. "fhc day -long session was sponsored by MetLife and featured local company repro- - sentativcs with -agricultural backgrounds. Ken Nesbitt, tKclly, John Jordan and - David Vanscader addtesscd various points of fano trans- lers; estate plannln4' and answered questions. Communication is the "nwn- bcr oncrthing to look at, said Kc.I l.y. "Farm people by nature tend to keep to themselves. II- you're • going to-translcr your operation you better start talking. It's irnpofrtant to get the tarok on the table," he said. . also mentioned) the.cnr tion involved with lame trans, fors since many til the oper- ations have taken years of bard work to build up. The audicnce.was shown a video Featuring a fanning fam- ily in Saskatchewan going through the process of transfer- ririg the lamily.larru. A retiring couple wanted to pass their • lawn on to one of their sons. They also had three other non- larming children, one son and two daughters. . The video explored various options available to the family and host Nesbitt reminded everyone that each farm trans - for is unique and that method may not be the choice preferred by another family. "Estate planning has to he done prior to dearth. Everyone. has an estate. Everyone is .important," said Nesbitt. "The main locus (of a land transfer) N security oI capital - of the operation and a lair and equitable treatment of . the children,"- said Kelly. 1le also stressed that "equitable" doesn't 'necessarily mean "equal" amounts in estate for each child. IF the farm -presently isn't a viable operation, don't bother • McMaster Siemon Mt INSURANCE BROKERS INC. , ;1 1- 3,L 7,7-`2.A1 I BROKERS RILL 'SI N AN+aMc7AGGART DAIV PIIOCIOR 68 Ontario Rd. 348-9150 Mitchell 1-800-561-0183 "Farm people by nature tend to keep to themselves. If you're going to transfer your operation you better start talking." with a transfer. Liquidate it, advises KcIIy. The video looked at the retir- ing couple figuring out how much: capital they needed to retire on, the annual farm 'profits and how to cover their income shortfall. Both the -retiring couple and the couple hiking -over the farm estab- lished their income -require- ments- before- making final decisions -on the land transfer. The video tackled tough issues like the- possibility of future marriage break-up, of the couple taking over the farm or death of one of the spouses. Following the video, Kelly explored a number of different options to fund a farm transfer. "You can borrow the funds. It helps keep capital inside the operation. It can be expensive. If you Ixlrrow half a million it inay cost yea SL2.million to pay off. And you could have money going out in interest." Selling assets -like equipment and • machinery is another option for funding a transfer- but ransferbut Kelly doesn't recommend it. "It's like cutting off your right arm. Usually you need these things (equipment) to help generate revenue." As for savings and in"vcsting money, do farmers have the time, ui investigate investment options? What if there is a crisis and you need-somecapi- tal quickly? What about the taxes you have to pay on it, asks Kelly. "It's better to put the money hack in to your operation." - And as for winning the lot- tery as a funding option, "good luck. The MetLife sales manager presented insurance funding as. a cost-effective and tax-free methcxl tci fund farm _transfers. A farm estate planning worksheet distributed at the day -long seminar also reflected that insurance, when compared to borrowing and investing_ mune; , was a more cost effec- tjve option. Wills, power of attorney', life MALCCOYLM GRA INSURANCE IROKERS Allan Carter, Broker • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800-265-0959 Strathroy Send Your Valentine i a message to remember! PUBLISH YOUR VALENTINE SENTIMENTS IN THE HURON EXPOSITOR'S VALENTINE HEART WARMERS COLUMN insurance, RRSPs and RRIFs are tools to help with the farm transfer process. "Huge tax situations and family misunder- standing arise with estates left unattended," said Kelly. "I can't stress the communication part of it enough. It's going to take advance planning." While the average Canadian will work 85,0(X1 hours in his/her lifetime to create their estate and yet only spend 10 hours planning its distribution, according to estate planning information from MetLife. Seaforth &, District Community Centres HOCKEY POOL '96 RANK • STANDINGS Pts. (as of Jan. 25/96) 1 Bach 1 2. Bob Henderson 3. T.N.L. #9 4. Billy.Boy (3) 5. - G&DIII 6. Brett 2 7. G&DII - 8. Tammy Martene 9. Couch Potato 3 10. M.H.R.R + S 11. Ice Hogs 12. Bob McNaughton #3 13. Yzerman 14. First Place. 15. -Gull 16. Leafs = Cup #2 - 17. Primetime 1 18. Joe III . 19. Kev C.1 20. Wayne Regele #2. 21. Doug Small 22. Dale Kennedy 2 23: Stormin Norman 24. Cooner #1 - 25. Dutch Trio 1 26. M-H.R.R. + S 11 27. C.M.M.S.F. 28. John Wilson 29. Coach Potato 1 30. Cooner#2 31. Hammer Them 1 - 32. Pens I 33. Glen Carter 34. Harry Jansen 35. Marty Bedard 36. Nora Flick • 37. Randy Whigham 38. G&DI - 39. Jim #2 • 40. Angel Two 41. Trevor Pnce - 1 42. Roy's Raiders' 43. Team Electric 44. Billy Boy (2) 45. Habs Miss Playoffs 46. TO.#1 47. Sparky 1 48. Walton's 49. A&W#3 50. 710 707 702 700 699 697 694 689 687 687 684 680 680 678 677 677 674 673 672 671 670 669 669 668 665 -665 664 663 662 660 659 659 658 658 657 656 655 654 654 653 653 652 652 649 649 649 648 648 646 Doug Vock 1 644 This ad sponsored by SEAFORTH 527-0180 Here are samples of what you might say 4 Tell your Valentine how much you care. Your special message will be published Wed., Feb. 14'(Valentine's Day)...for only $5.00 plus GST for 25 words or less .20 each additional word. Prepaid. If you're a romantic.,,it's easy Just stop in The Expositor's Office at 100 Main St. Seaforth, before Noon Monday, Feb. 12 and your special message will be published Valentine's Day. Anne. 1 love you more each and everyday we are together. Love Lee For more information please call 527-0240. The Huron Expositor "Your Community Newspaper" To my Ernie, fifteen wonderful years together and your stip a ball Love Bert 4 "Families like to see the operation stay within the fam- ily," said Kelly. And farmers want to enjoy the fruits of their labour in their retirement after working for years to build up successful farms. In case anyone missed the MetLife. seminar, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is offering a course on Wednesdays, Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the OMAFRA seminar room in Clinton on assisting farm families with the sale or transfer of a family farm from one generation to the next. OMAFRA has also produced a video of their own on farm transfers which was recently aired on local stations. For more information, please call: 482-3428 or 1-800-265- 5170 Seaforth/Egmondvi I le Broomball Tournament Results... Men A Champs- Deemerton.Dusters A Runnerup- Dumpers B Champs- 8" Liners B Runnerup- Legion of Broom Ladies A Champs- Parr Line A Runnerup- Perth Polarke 8 Champs- Blyth Rebels B Runnerup- Crusaders THANK YOU to all members of our Broomball League and the following local merchants for the help. support and donations before and during our toumament. T.M.P. Teatero Motor Products Tuckers Meat Shop. Pizza Train Bob & Betty's Gift & Variety'95 Stedman's V & S Hensall Distract Co -Operative • - New Orleans Pizza - Wilson Auto Service BIA Futures Hair Design Seaforth Shell Chnstine's Cafe Commercial Hotel Sparky's Place TNI HURON EXPOSITOR, January 31, 1111.11-5 BNNV'S BALLN5, BELS & BOWS NOW OPEN! Getting Married? Celebrating an Anniversary or Special Occasion? We do decorating! We have party supplies & rental items. Give us -a call at 522-2011. Ask for Tracey. Firewood Hard Maple or Ash SLABWOOD Limited Time Offer - Call now - $130./17 cu. yd. -i ruck Load Delivered within 209 miles Mileage charge Beyond That Large Quantity Discounts When -You Haul!!! Craig Hardwoods Ltd. Auburn, Ont. 19-526-7220 rt: f 14i/ At as A.J .. , . rs Can't -decide what to grow this year? . Perhaps you are interested in growing early .maturity soybeans under contract for Pioneer® Hi -Bred. - For details call us at 1-800-265-0554 and atik for Stu or Barb. EVER(BODY'S DOIN' IT • ski -doe. Engineered For The Way You Ride. • SALES • • SERVICE • ACCESSORIES 1 1/4 Miles North of Seaforth 527-0120 STRATFORD CYCLE CENTRE • The INTREPID SNOWMOBILER By: Craig Nicholson HOWTO BE SNOWMOBILE -FRIENDLY by Craig Nicholson (01995 by Craig Nicholson. All rights reserved.) As snowmobiling becomes more popular and riders more demanding, I've had many riders comment on what it takes for an establishment to be snow- mobile -friendly. See rt any of your pet peeves have made this list. Signs/Directions: There's nothing more frustrating than trying to find a place with no signs on the trail. A business can't expect commerce from customers who can't find it. It's time to start treating snowmobile trails like roadways and advertise. Ond proviso: clubs operate the trails, so no signs should go up that -they don't approve (and get paid for) first. Trail Access' Snowmobilers want to ride to your door on snow. riot pavement or gravel, so maintain trail access and don't plough your whole parking lot bare. Expect to reimburse a club who grooms to your door. Sorfle towns have excellent access, others poor. If a town wants snowmobiling business. the trail in and out had better be well -marked and not end up depositing sleds on the ploughed"main street. Parking: Set aside a special parking area for snowmobiles where their own- ers don't have to worry about being run over by a transport or having their sled stolen. Good lighting and a fenced security enclosure are ideal. Security: If your establishment develops a reputation for stolen sleds. snow- mobilers will go elsewhere. To avert this problem. see parking above. or let riders park their sleds in front of their hotel rooms. Two other good alterna- tives are providing locks and chains for each guest or parking sleds overnight in a locked (heated) garage or storage area. Storage Space: Snowmobilers don't carry much with them and they're wear- ing most of rt. Restaurants need to have secure space for helmets. boots and jackets where nders aren't cramped or stumbling over one another. Nothing makes a snowmobiler feels more unwelcome than having to pile his/her gear on the floor around the eating table. Similarly. hotel rooms need to. have kNs of hangers and space for spreading stuff out to dry. An offer to use the hotel's dryer is appreciated. Service Staff: Staff who are ignorant about snowmobiling can inadvertently sabatoge business. Snowmobilers like to congregate with their own and this includes knowledgeable oppeprrators who can answer trail questions and talk the talk. It isn't necessary ttfat all staff be up toQpeed. but at least questions should be refered to the folks who are. Having wall maps. club maps. brochures. distances.. and traillweether conditions handy adds to your credi- bility. Food Service: Many snowmobilers want to grab a quick bite and get back to the riding. Offering a quick special or two can speed them along and increase your turnover too. Hearty home -style meals are popular. while nour- ishing hot sdticis take the chill off. Go easy on the spices because trail heart - bum is a fact of life. Club Support: The success of snowmobiling in your area depends on trails and the club volunteers who make them happen. Snowmobders will patron- ize establishments that support snowmobiling, so call your local club and get ole' board. Becoming a SIedPLUS Partner is an ideal way to demonstrate your support to the snowmobiling public. Odds 'n' Ends: Some of my favounte establishments have come up with these ideas - access to a heated workshop and tools for emergency repairs: free shuttle to stores or sled service: rag towels for hand -wiping or sled clean-up: no service policy for non -permit holders; and limiting alcoholic bev- erage service for those still riding. Operators have to work their own way to snowmobile -friendliness. but remembering that the only thing snowmobilers bung with them are their open wallets should be motivation enough. Until next time, happy trails and remember to Sled Smart - Ride Safe, Ride Sober. Bring A Buddy to Srowarama. For club or driver training information. contact the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) at (705) 739- 7669. To plan your Ontario tour. call 1 -800.283 -SLED. For Snowarama call 1-800-4613391. :